Standardisation move for optical modules

The MSA aims to accelerate the adoption of PAM optical interconnects scaling to 50Gbps, 100Gbps, 200Gbps, and 400Gbps by expanding existing standards to enable optical module implementations using less complex, lower cost, lower power, optimized clock and data recovery (CDR) based architectures in addition to existing digital signal processing (DSP) architectures.

Minimizing the need for signal processing in optical modules has many advantages including significantly lowering latency, power consumption and cost. The Open Eye industry consortium is committed to investing its amassed innovation and engineering resources for the development of an industry-standard optical interconnect, leveraging seamless component interoperability among a broad group of industry-leading technology providers, including providers of electronics, lasers and optical components.

The Open Eye MSA approach is a natural evolution relative to today’s high-volume optical nodes, enabling users to scale to next generation Baud rates. The initial Open Eye MSA specification will focus on 53Gbps per lane PAM-4 solutions for 50G SFP, 100G DSFP, 200G
QSFP, and 400G QSFP-DD as well as OSFP single mode modules.

Subsequent specifications will address multimode and 100Gbps per lane applications.

Founding members of the Open Eye MSA are MACOM and Semtech.

Promoters include Applied Optoelectronics Inc., Cambridge Industries (CIG), Color Chip, Juniper, Luxshare-ICT, Mellanox and Molex.

In addition, the following companies are participating in the MSA as contributors: Huawei- Hi-Silicon, Innolight, Keysight, Maxim Integrated Semiconductors, O-net, Optomind, Source Photonics and Sumitomo.

The initial specification release is planned for Fall 2019, with product availability to follow later in the year. Companies interested in joining the Open Eye MSA can contact: admin@openeye-msa.org. For more information about the consortium, visit: www.openeye- msa.org .